The Academy

The history

A bit of history ...

The Academy was founded in 1975 following Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III’s desire to establish a high level dance school in the Principality of Monaco. The Academy has since been directed by Marika Besobrasova and enjoys an international reputation.

Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo

With Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo

In 2009, H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover appointed Luca Masala to the position of Artistic Director, following Jean-Christophe Maillot’s recommendation. The aim is to enhance the Academy’s pre-professional aspect and to allow its multinational study body to perfect their training between the ages of 13 and 18, thus enabling them to join leading international dance companies upon completing their studies. This new objective is part of the major changes currently under-way on Monaco’s dance scene: under H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover’s Presidency, the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, the Monaco Dance Forum and the Académie Princesse Grace are now governed as a single structure. Overseen by Jean-Christophe Maillot, this entity now boasts the excellence of an international company, the benefits of a multi-disciplinary festival and the potential of a premium school in order to transform Monaco into a hub in which all activities related to choreographic art meet. This streamlining process allows students of the Academy to become familiar with the dance industry, to interact with leading artists and to experience life at the very heart of key cultural events in Monaco. In doing so, students see tangible expressions of their dreams.

The philosophy

A school for dance and life ...

The Academy is more than a hotbed for talent: it is also a school of life in which students are taught the importance of responsibility and are primed for forging their own careers. The multi-disciplinary teaching includes dance classes (retaining the high quality of traditional teaching methods while exposing the Academy to various different influences from contemporary dance), artistic training and academic classes adapted to meet the needs of the students’ different nationalities. In order to fulfil this ambitious aim, the Academy boasts teaching staff comprised of professors and artists with international careers behind them. Renowned for the excellence of its teaching, the Princess Grace Academy has become a partner to prestigious institutions such as the Prix de Lausanne, where some of its students are very well represented. This is a school in which students blossom into cultured, well-rounded individuals with a sense of curiosity – as well as accomplished dancers.

« We welcome all young artists full of hope, who cannot imagine a life off-stage and outside of the rehearsal studios. We hope the Princess Grace Academy and the Ballets de Monte-Carlo serve as a space in which they can share, exchange and weave memories of a happy youth dedicated to dance and training ».

Luca Masala
Artistic Director at the Académie Princesse Grace